1. summary so far
We have discussed the general principles behind graphic design and thought about how and why these apply to the web. The key points were:
- web design has to be based on grids, as you need to be able to describe the dimensions and contents of each "cell" in the grid to the computer
- design is not just a random factor but is very important in establishing the general feel of your site
- design is also an issue for usability as a badly laid out site can be very disorienting for visitors
- design should be consistent across pages on a site
- white space should be used frequently to make the pages easier to read.
It must be stressed that excellent sites may well be very light on design, whereas sites which have obviously employed trained (and therefore expensive) graphic designers may well be terrible. So beyond these basic points it really depends on the skills you have (or can get others to help you with) and how long you want to spend on it all.
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2. from plan to site
As with other apsects of design, it will help if you plan out your design ideas in advance. A rough sketch of what you want your pages to look like is usually enough. Think about what are the important page elements - all sites will probably have some kind of identifying heading or logo, and a menu - and make sure these are as near the top as possible.
Remember that your site must be designed around the grid. Once you've roughly sketched out the page the general grid layout should be clearer to you. Remember also that you don't have to use a table for page layout: although it is the easiest way to get white space on your screen (you can try using margins, however).
This lecture will not repeat the basic information about structuring your tables. Just remember:
- you always need at least the three key tags, <table>, <tr> and <td>
- you must remember the correct hierarchy: first divide your table into rows, then columns
- always keep an eye on your nesting and make sure you close all the tags correctly.
The next slide will summarise the ways in which you can acquire greater control over your table layout. But note that this information is covered in much greater detail in the rest of the teaching materials for this lecture. You should read these as soon as possible after the end of this lecture.
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